Morton Junior High School Orchestra

Dates

The days leading up to each concert, I'd like each cellist and bassist to bring their instrument from home. This is important because I need to inspect your instrument, fix anything I can and get it in tune for the performance. This is also important so that each student can maintain a solid instrument at home.

Concerts are graded like tests, as a large summative grade. If you know now that your family has an extremely important event, please let me know as soon as possible. We are a team and it matters to everyone in our group that everyone else is there. I will not talk to a student about missing a concert. I need to hear it from a parent or guardian.

Summer Music camps for 2025

Out of state summer music camps of very high esteem

Birch Creek in Wisconsin - https://www.birchcreek.org/summer-music-academy-registration

Blue lake in Michigan - https://bluelake.org/lifelongartssessioninfo#stringorchestra

Interlochen in Michigan https://www.interlochen.org/music/camp-programs#programs

Practice Challenge

Current leaderboard for 7th/8th

Other concerts to watch!

Go watch the Peoria Symphony - LINK

Heartland Festival Orchestra - Performs at 5 points washington - LINK

The night of April 27th, the Peoria Youth Symphony is performing at Bertha.

Morton Schools partner closely with Kidder music. If you're looking for something, calling them should usually be your first move. Buying/renting instruments, music, supplies, lessons

Kidder Music (309) 692-4040

recordings to practice with

Full orchestral recordings - Dark Horse - Wheels of Fury - Slane    6th grade - Edelweiss - Over the rainbow

Instructor: Mr. Akers

Contact Information: billy.akers@mcusd709.org

Course Description: Morton Junior High School Orchestra is a comprehensive music program designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of playing orchestral instruments and ensemble performance. Students will develop technical skills, music reading abilities, and a deeper appreciation for classical and contemporary orchestral music.

Course Goals

Develop proficient instrumental techniques on respective instruments.

Cultivate music literacy skills, including note reading and rhythm comprehension.

Foster an understanding of ensemble dynamics and the importance of teamwork in music.

Introduce students to a diverse range of musical styles and genres within the orchestral repertoire.

Enhance students' listening skills and critical thinking through musical analysis and interpretation.

Tips!

Practice slow - Keep finger nails short - listen to recordings

Help each other - Slow down recordings - Ask questions

download apps on your phone for tuners and metronomes for practing at home

Practice the hard parts slowly until there are no hard parts

practice the way you want to perform

Three T's = Time, Tune and Tone focus on maximizing these three skills

Go back to easy songs to focus on your skills, otherwise you might only be practicing how to read music

More Tips!

When practicing alone - pretend that you are your own teacher

Practice slowly with a metronome - Search up other fun songs

Practice - Reward yourself after a practice session

Practice things right slowly the first time - Don't practice making mistakes quickly, they can be hard to unlearn

Have fun! - Take some time to just play random notes and make up your own songs

Play for your friends and family, get comfortable with playing in front of people, this will grow confidence

Morton Orchestra Parents

LINK to donate to the Morton Orchestra Parents

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